He spent his childhood in Antwerp , Belgium , where he went to school , college and university . In 1991 , he and his wife Christine relocated to South Africa . Jan ’ s involvement in the South African refrigeration industry started in earnest when he was appointed as marketing manager of Aircontek Industries , an insulated panel manufacturer located in Airport Industria , Cape Town .

Being keen to play a role in his community , Jan later became chairman of the Airport Industria Business Association and in August 1996 joined SARDA as the appointed representative of Aircontek and remained a strong supporter of SARDA throughout his career . He believed in the mission and principles on which SARDA was founded and joined in his personal capacity in September 1997 .

Through a mutual associate , Jan met Cees Nijssen of the Netherlands and in July 1998 , Cees presented seminars in Cape Town to promote the Nijssen Filacell rapid cooling tunnels and post-harvest technology . Following the positive response by role players in the fruit industry , Nijssen ( SA ) was founded with Jan as its manager and offices in Welgemoed . The first Filacell tunnel in South Africa was fully imported from the Netherlands and installed in 1999 for Hochland Boerdery in Piketberg . Jan managed the entire project and formed a

strong relationship with Hugo Schreiber , owner of Hochland Boerdery .

From those early seminars and more Filacell installations , post-harvest technology became Jan ’ s passion and his 24 / 7 focus . It was not just about the cooling concept but also about the packaging and airflow . A new open top carton with added openings for air flow was developed in the Nijssen laboratory in the Netherlands for the second Filacell installation at De Wets Co-Op in Wellington .

Jan had the highest regard for Cees and had regular contact with him long after Nijssen SA had closed and until the unexpected death of Cees in July 2020 .

After being on the Cape committee , Jan was elected chairman of the Cape branch of SARDA in March 1999 and held that office until 2001 . During this period , the members enjoyed a vigorous programme of interesting technical meetings , golf days , technical visits , a mid-year dance and prize giving in the Italian Club . Jan was the driving force . At the same time , he also played a leading role in the Durbanville Police Forum .

In 2002 , Jan and Christine found a baby boy when he was only 8 weeks old . He was named Nicolas and after some lengthy legal challenges , was fully adopted , to form a very close-knit family . While Nicolas was doing his schooling , Jan did not hesitate to coach the Sunningdale under-9 football team . The ongoing joy and spark that Nicolas added to the lives of Jan and Christine , cannot be expressed in words .

With his outgoing personality , Jan excelled in marketing and for at least the last two decades , focused on the broad

spectrum of post-harvest technology alongside his consulting services in the same field .

In 2011 , Miatech , a worldwide leader in providing innovative , cost-efficient humidification and ethylene removal systems for the post-harvest industry , appointed Umhwebo Trading Enterprise CC ( Jan Lievens ’ business ) to be their dealer in South Africa .

In the same year , Jan provided consulting services to set up a plant in Atlantis to manufacture polystyrene and insulated panels for cold rooms . Jan also undertook the marketing of the finished product and managed the advertising campaign .

Jan engaged regularly with a wide international circle of experts and professionals in post-harvest technology and packaging for the entire spectrum of fruits . Prof Umezuruike Linus Opara , South African chair in Postharvest Technology at Stellenbosch University , is to name but one . Engagement with Jan was always welcomed .

Health issues took its toll on Jan . In 2019 , he was diagnosed with cancer , but with his positive outlook and determination , he recovered after successful treatment . Then in June 2022 he had a heart attack and survived , followed by another in November . Sadly , he did not survive the attack again on 6 February 2023 .

He was big in stature and left a lasting impression on those with whom he engaged in business , socially and his community . In the words of Nicolas , “ When you met Jan , you immediately either liked him or disliked him but he could not be forgotten .”

Our deepest sympathy goes to Christine and Nicolas . May you both find comfort in knowing that many friends , associates and clients share your loss and grieve . Rest in peace Jan , after a very active and full life . You lived a life free of the attitudes and judgements of others but believed in yourself and strived to be an inspiration to your loved ones and those closest to you . CLA

John Ackermann

He was a powerhouse

of energy , commitment ,

enthusiasm , had a strong

public spirit , readily

spoke his mind and was

passionate about postharvest

technology .

Supplied